Austin Croshere is a former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for over a decade. He was born on May 1, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Westwood, a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles. Croshere attended Crossroads School, a private school in Santa Monica, California, where he played basketball and was named the California State Player of the Year in 1993.
After graduating from high school, Croshere attended Providence College in Rhode Island, where he played college basketball for four years. He was a standout player for the Friars, averaging 14.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per game during his senior year. Croshere was selected by the Indiana Pacers with the 12th overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft.
Croshere spent the majority of his NBA career with the Pacers, playing for the team from 1997 to 2006. He was known for his versatility as a player, as he could play both forward positions and was a capable three-point shooter. Croshere was a key player for the Pacers during the 2000 NBA playoffs, helping the team reach the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. He had a career-high 24 points in Game 5 of the Finals, which the Pacers won.
In addition to his time with the Pacers, Croshere also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Milwaukee Bucks during his NBA career. He retired from professional basketball in 2009, after playing for the San Antonio Spurs in the preseason.
Throughout his NBA career, Croshere was known for his work ethic and professionalism. He was a respected teammate and leader, and was often called upon to provide a spark off the bench. Croshere was also active in the community, and was named the Pacers' Community Service Award winner in 2002.
Since retiring from basketball, Croshere has worked as a television analyst for the Pacers and as a radio host for ESPN Radio in Indianapolis. He has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the Croshere Family Foundation, which supports children's charities in Indiana and California.
In conclusion, Austin Croshere had a successful NBA career, playing for several teams over the course of more than a decade. He was known for his versatility as a player, his work ethic, and his leadership on and off the court. Croshere's contributions to the Pacers during the 2000 NBA playoffs helped the team reach the NBA Finals, and he remains a beloved figure in Indiana basketball history.
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